The Sin of Empathy is a deeply flawed book that fails to diagnose both the real issue at stake and its real solution. Bring biblical and theological truth to blow gently on the fuse of Joe Rigney’s empathy bomb and 💨… out it goes. Just like that.
Another clear, helpful analysis. Thank you so much for this. I just wanted to say I not only took critical analysis away from this reading but actual encouragement in the truth that our hearts and minds are being renewed through the Holy Spirit. That is good news!
This quote gave me particular food for thought:
"The fallen female sex is no more enslaved to their emotions and feelings than the fallen male sex is."
It's such a stereotype that women are the "emotional" ones, and Rigney seems to be trying to baptise that stereotype as Biblical. But if what you are saying here is true (and I believe it is), that both men and women are equally prone to falling prey to distorted emotions and feelings, then for this stereotype to proceed we simply must be engaging in a subtle hierarchy of feelings. Certain emotions (e.g. empathy, kindness, compassion) and emotional expressions (e.g. tearfulness, hesitancy, being soft-spoken, being visibly upset) are weak, manipulative, shameful or exploited. Other emotions (anger, worry couched as wise concern, self-righteousness, pride) and emotional expressions (brash speech, recalcitrance, one-upmanship, self-confidence) are... in fact not emotions but simply the product of rational analysis?
I'm not sure if this all makes sense but basically it seems like there's a blind spot here for Rigney and others who take a patriarchal view. They fail to see their emotions as actual emotions and instead are mislabeling them to gain distance from similarities with women.
Thanks Dani. I thought calling empathy a sin sounded stupid and unbiblical. But you've shown how this current teaching camouflages a deep dislike and contempt for women. He also seems to hold motherhood in low regard.
(Does Rigby think that Jezebel's wickedness stemmed from an overabundance of empathy and wanting to kiss everybody's boo boos?)
I am also very much appreciative of your engagement, Dani. It's not easy speaking up against such a male-dominated organisation/movement. It's very noticeable how few women are taken seriously in these debates but your work makes it clear how they intend to discredit us completely. There's some serious damage being done in this movement, by going against the spirit of reconciliation that is the heart of the gospel. And the influence is wide-ranging, I've noticed more of it trying to infiltrate conservative churches here in Ireland.
This is really insightful, and disturbing in terms of Joe Rigbys involvement with the CBMW. Thank you Dani for standing for truth even when that's hard. I appreciate the way in which you wisely engage with these discussions
Thanks for your hard work to help think with some more clarity here. I can tell this takes a good bit of courage and conviction to continue to call this to attention. Press on!
Good news everyone, I think I found the scripture for Rigney about how women, unlike men, can't be reasonable, wise, nor objective:
"She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue." — Proverbs 31:26
...wait... 🧐
Another clear, helpful analysis. Thank you so much for this. I just wanted to say I not only took critical analysis away from this reading but actual encouragement in the truth that our hearts and minds are being renewed through the Holy Spirit. That is good news!
This quote gave me particular food for thought:
"The fallen female sex is no more enslaved to their emotions and feelings than the fallen male sex is."
It's such a stereotype that women are the "emotional" ones, and Rigney seems to be trying to baptise that stereotype as Biblical. But if what you are saying here is true (and I believe it is), that both men and women are equally prone to falling prey to distorted emotions and feelings, then for this stereotype to proceed we simply must be engaging in a subtle hierarchy of feelings. Certain emotions (e.g. empathy, kindness, compassion) and emotional expressions (e.g. tearfulness, hesitancy, being soft-spoken, being visibly upset) are weak, manipulative, shameful or exploited. Other emotions (anger, worry couched as wise concern, self-righteousness, pride) and emotional expressions (brash speech, recalcitrance, one-upmanship, self-confidence) are... in fact not emotions but simply the product of rational analysis?
I'm not sure if this all makes sense but basically it seems like there's a blind spot here for Rigney and others who take a patriarchal view. They fail to see their emotions as actual emotions and instead are mislabeling them to gain distance from similarities with women.
Thanks Dani. I thought calling empathy a sin sounded stupid and unbiblical. But you've shown how this current teaching camouflages a deep dislike and contempt for women. He also seems to hold motherhood in low regard.
(Does Rigby think that Jezebel's wickedness stemmed from an overabundance of empathy and wanting to kiss everybody's boo boos?)
Thanks Dani for the tone, wisdom and willingness to stand in the place you stand in these discussions. Thanking Jesus for you.
I am also very much appreciative of your engagement, Dani. It's not easy speaking up against such a male-dominated organisation/movement. It's very noticeable how few women are taken seriously in these debates but your work makes it clear how they intend to discredit us completely. There's some serious damage being done in this movement, by going against the spirit of reconciliation that is the heart of the gospel. And the influence is wide-ranging, I've noticed more of it trying to infiltrate conservative churches here in Ireland.
This is really insightful, and disturbing in terms of Joe Rigbys involvement with the CBMW. Thank you Dani for standing for truth even when that's hard. I appreciate the way in which you wisely engage with these discussions
"If empathy is a sin, most of those saying so don’t seem to have been tempted beyond their ability to bear it." ~ Russell Moore
😆👏
You alliterate like a preacher. Are you even allowed to do that? ;)
It’s one of my spiritual gifts 😉
Thanks for your hard work to help think with some more clarity here. I can tell this takes a good bit of courage and conviction to continue to call this to attention. Press on!
Excellent work.
Exceptional.